TDS-009A 2-1-01

CAPSCREWS
Capscrews are closely controlled to meet the dimensions of ASME/ANSI B18.2.1. Hex Head Capscrews are
proportioned and toleranced to assure full and proper loading when assembled into a tapped hole. A washer
face is provided under the head to provide a bearing surface when tightened. Unlike bolts, which have much
looser tolerances and allow the body to be larger than the nominal diameter, capscrews have a body which is never larger than the nominal diameter
to ensure fit-up into tapped holes without counterboring. The end of the capscrew is chamfered to aid in inserting into a tapped hole. Our capscrews are
100% made in America with raw material rolled and melted in the U.S.A. They
are cold formed on precision high speed formers, utilizing in-process quality systems, and have full traceability from raw material to each box of fasteners.
Chemical and physical certifications are always available. Nucor Fastener Division
is QS9000 and ISO9002 Registered, and our laboratory is A2LA Accredited.

SAE vs. ASTM Specifications

With very minor differences, the SAE Grade Capscrews have an equivalent version in
the ASTM standards. The Grade 2 Capscrew is comparable to an ASTM A307 Grade A, while the Grade 5
Capscrew is the same as the ASTM A449, and the Grade 8 Capscrew has the same strength as the ASTM A354
Grade BD. For those needing either specification requirement, we can dual certify our Grade 5 and Grade 2
Capscrews to SAE and ASTM standards. Our SAE Grade 8 and ASTM Grade BD Capscrews are identical,
however, ASTM recently instituted a requirement to stamp BD on the head of the capscrew; therefore, SAE
Grade 8 and Grade BD Capscrews cannot be dual certified without BD stamped on the head of the capscrew.
This is because SAE permits plain carbon 1541 grade steel for small diameter product, while ASTM requires
alloy steel. Nucor Fastener Division only uses alloy steel for Grade 8 Capscrews.

Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of finished capscrews are covered in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
J429, Mechanical and Material Requirements for Externally Threaded Fasteners Specification. This specification covers the materials, manufacturing methods, mechanical properties, and testing requirements for capscrews. Grade 2 (A307A) Capscrews are lower strength fasteners made from low carbon steel which achieves
its strength primarily from cold forming. Grade 5 (A449) Capscrews are medium strength fasteners that achieve
their strength from a quench and temper heat treatment. Grade 8 Capscrews (A354 GR BD) are the highest
strength of standard inch series capscrews and are made from alloy steels. They also achieve their strength from
a quench and temper heat treatment. Standard mechanical tests are performed in our A2LA (American
Association for Laboratory Accreditation) Accredited Laboratory.
SAE J429 Grade 2

ASTM A449 Type 1

SAE J429 Grade 5

SAE J429 Grade 8

ASTM A307A
Grade 2

307A

Grade Identification
n

This Technical Data Sheet is subject to change without prior notification.

POST OFFICE BOX 6100 ST. JOE, INDIANA 46785
PHONE: (800) 955-6826 OR (260) 337-1626 FAX: (260) 337-1726 WEB SITE: www.nucor-fastener.com

CAPSCREWS

Table 4 Dimensions of Hex Capscrews

LT

MAX.

0.150
0.195
0.226
0.272

MIN.

0.106
0.140
0.160
0.195

MIN.

1.250
1.375
1.500
1.750
2.000

0.750
0.875
1.000
1.125

BASIC

6 IN. AND
SHORTER

2.500
2.750
3.000
3.250

1.500
1.625
1.750
2.000
2.250

1.000
1.125
1.250
1.375

BASIC

OVER
6 IN.

0.833

0.625
0.714
0.714
0.833

0.385
0.417
0.455
0.500
0.556

0.250
0.278
0.312
0.357

MAX.

0.039

0.026
0.029
0.033
0.036

0.014
0.015
0.017
0.020
0.023

0.010
0.011
0.012
0.013

MAX.

BASIC

0.163
0.211
0.243
0.291

0.215
0.250
0.269
0.324
0.378

2.250
2.500
2.750
3.000

3.500

MIN.

5/32
13/64
15/64
9/32

0.302
0.348
0.378
0.455
0.531

0.416
0.461
0.530
0.569

3.250

MAX.

0.488
0.557
0.628
0.698

0.323
0.371
0.403
0.483
0.563

0.591
0.658
0.749
0.810

0.640

MIN.

0.505
0.577
0.650
0.722

5/16
23/64
25/64
15/32
35/64

0.627
0.718
0.813
0.878

0.902

MAX.

0.428
0.489
0.551
0.612

0.840
0.910
1.051
1.254
1.465

39/64
11/16
25/32
27/32

0.974

THREAD LENGTH
FOR SCREW
LENGTHS

BASIC

0.438
0.500
0.562
0.625

0.866
0.938
1.083
1.299
1.516

1.675
1.859
2.066
2.273

1-5/16

RUNOUT
OF
BEARING
SURFACE
FIM

MIN.
7/16
1/2
9/16
5/8

0.736
0.798
0.922
1.100
1.285

1.732
1.949
2.165
2.382

2.480

TRANSITION
THREAD
LENGTH

0.2450
0.3065
0.3690
0.4305

0.750
0.812
0.938
1.125
1.312

1.469
1.631
1.812
1.994

2.598

WRENCHING
HEIGHT

MAX.

3/4
0.4930
0.5545 13/16
0.6170 15/16
0.7410 1-1/8
0.8660 1-5/16

1.500
1.688
1.875
2.062

2.175

HEIGHT

0.2500
0.3125
0.3750
0.4375

0.9900 1-1/2
1.1140 1-11/16
1.2390 1-7/8
1.3630 2-1/16

2.230

WIDTH ACROSS
CORNERS

0.2500
0.3125
0.3750
0.4375
0.5000
0.5625
0.6250
0.7500
0.8750

2-1/4

WIDTH ACROSS
FLATS

1/4
5/16
3/8
7/16
0.5000
0.5625
0.6250
0.7500
0.8750
1.0000
1.1250
1.2500
1.3750

1.4880

BODY
DIAMETER

1/2
9/16
5/8
3/4
7/8
1.0000
1.1250
1.2500
1.3750

1.5000

NOMINAL SIZE
OR BASIC
PRODUCT
DIAMETER

1
1-1/8
1-1/4
1-3/8

1.5000

(ANSI B18.2.1)

1-1/2

Distributed By:

Table 1 - Mechanical Properties of Capscrews

Table 2 - Proof Load and Tensile Strength Requirements

Applications
Capscrews can be used in tapped holes or with a nut (like a bolt). Most designs with capscrews where a clamp
load is needed require the capscrew to be tightened to 75% of the proof load for a safe working range. Shear

strength of a capscrew loaded in single shear through the threads is about 60% of the ultimate tensile strength,
so working loads should be lower than this breaking strength. The fatigue strength of capscrews as measured
by the endurance limit will vary widely depending upon the amplitude, frequency, and type of applied load.
Endurance limits of 10-20% of the tensile strength have been reported for high strength capscrews.

Suggested Starting Torque Values

All torque/tension relationships should be viewed with a cautious eye since no one table can indicate the range
of conditions expected to be experienced by a fastener. Torque is only an indirect indication of tension. The
torque value to use in an application is best obtained by using a calibrated torque wrench (or transducer) and
a Skidmore-Wilhelm type load indicating device to equate actual torque to desired tension. Nearly all of the
torque/tension tables which have been developed, including the one shown in Table 3, are based on the following formula:
T = (k*d*P)/12 where T = Torque (ft-lbs), d = nominal diameter (inches), P = Tension (lbs), and k is the torque
coefficient or nut factor (dimensionless)
The value of k is a dimensionless fudge factor which includes variables such as friction, thread conditions, etc.
The value of k can range from 0.10 for a well lubricated connection to greater than 0.30 for a rusted assembly. Normally, k is approximately 0.20 for plain steel (increase by about 10% for zinc plated and decrease by
about 25% for parts which have been well lubricated). The torques shown below represent starting values for
plain capscrews (k = 0.20) at 60% - 90% of the proof load tension:

Table 3 - Suggested Torque Values and Clamp Loads

for Grades 2, 5, & 8 Capscrews
NOMINAL
DIAMETER
AND TPI
(INCHES)
1/4 - 20
1/4 - 28
5/16 - 18
5/16 - 24
3/8 - 16
3/8 - 24
7/16 - 14
7/16 - 20
1/2 - 13
1/2 - 20
9/16 - 12
9/16 - 18
5/8 - 11
5/8 - 18
3/4 - 10
3/4 - 16
7/8 - 9
7/8 - 14
1-8
1 - 14
1-1/8 - 7
1-1/8 - 12
1-1/4 - 7
1-1/4 - 12

THREAD
STRESS
AREA
(SQ-IN)
0.0318
0.0364
0.0524
0.0580
0.0775
0.0878
0.1063
0.1187
0.1419
0.1599
0.1820
0.2030
0.2260
0.2560
0.3340
0.3730
0.4620
0.5090
0.6060
0.6790
0.7630
0.8560
0.9690
1.0730

SAE GRADE 2 CAPSCREWS

SAE GRADE 5 CAPSCREWS

SAE GRADE 8 CAPSCREWS

CLAMP LOAD
60-90%
PROOF
(POUNDS)

TIGHTENING
TORQUE
(FT-LBS)

CLAMP LOAD
60-90%
PROOF
(POUNDS)

TIGHTENING
TORQUE
(FT-LBS)

CLAMP LOAD
60-90%
PROOF
(POUNDS)

TIGHTENING
TORQUE
(FT-LBS)

1,049 - 1,574
1,201 - 1,802
1,729 - 2,594
1,914 - 2,871
2,558 - 3,868
2,897 - 4,346
3,508 - 5,262
3,917 - 5,876
4,683 - 7,024
5,277 - 7,915
6,006 - 9,009
6,699 - 10,049
7,458 - 11,187
8,448 - 12,672
11,022 - 16,533
12,309 - 18,464
15,246 - 22,869
16,797 - 25,196
19,998 - 29,997
22,407 - 33,611
25,179 - 37,769
28,248 - 42,372
31,977 - 47,966
35,409 - 53,114

4-7
5-8
9 - 14
10 - 15
16 - 24
18 - 27
26 - 38
29 - 43
39 - 59
44 - 66
56 - 84
63 - 94
78 - 117
88 - 132
138 - 207
154 - 231
222 - 334
245 - 367
333 - 500
373 - 560
472 - 708
530 - 794
666 - 999
738 - 1,107

1,622 - 2,433
1,856 - 2,785
2,672 - 4,009
2,958 - 4,437
3,953 - 5,929
4,478 - 6,717
5,421 - 8,132
6,054 - 9,081
7,237 - 10,855
8,155 - 12,232
9,282 - 13,923
10,353 - 15,530
11,526 - 17,289
13,056 - 19,584
17,034 - 25,551
19,023 - 28,535
23,562 - 35,343
25,959 - 38,939
30,906 - 46,359
34,629 - 51,944
33,877 - 50,816
38,006 - 57,010
43,024 - 64,535
47,641 - 71,462

7 - 10
8 - 12
14 - 21
15 - 23
25 - 37
28 - 42
40 - 59
44 - 66
60 - 90
68 - 102
87 - 131
97 - 146
120 - 180
136 - 204
213 - 319
238 - 357
344 - 515
379 - 568
515 - 773
577 - 866
635 - 953
713 - 1,069
896 - 1,344
993 - 1,489

2,290 - 3,434
2,621 - 3,931
3,773 - 5,659
4,176 - 6,264
5,580 - 8,370
6,322 - 9,482
7,654 - 11,480
8,546 - 12,820
10,217 - 15,325
11,513 - 17,269
13,104 - 19,656
14,616 - 21,924
16,272 - 24,408
18,432 - 27,648
24,048 - 36,072
26,856 - 40,284
33,264 - 49,896
36,648 - 54,972
43,632 - 65,448
48,888 - 73,332
54,936 - 82,404
61,632 - 92,448
69,768 - 104,652
77,256 - 115,884

10 - 14
11 - 16
20 - 29
22 - 33
35 - 52
40 - 59
56 - 84
62 - 93
85 - 128
96 - 144
123 - 184
137 - 206
170 - 254
192 - 288
301 - 451
336 - 504
485 - 728
534 - 802
727 - 1,091
815 - 1,222
1,030 - 1,545
1,156 - 1,733
1,454 - 2,180
1,610 - 2,414